Sofa and double bed combination



May 25, 1953 H. s. vAKAsslAN 2,639,441

soFA AND DOUBLE BED COMBINATION Filed Jul;r 18, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 HARRY 5. VAKASEIAN ATTORNEY May 26, 1953 H. s. vAKAsslAN 2,639,441

SOFA AND DOUBLE BED COMBINATION Filed July 18, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.-

HARRY 5. VAKASSIAN D BY ATTORNE.)l

Patented May 26, 1953 UNITED STATES iiiq'isNT 2,639,441 f OFFICE soFA AND DOUBLE BED COMBINATION Harry rS. Vaka-ssian, 4New York, N. Y. Application July 1s, 195i, seria; N9. 237,378v

s claims. (ci. ''1s) My invention relates to that type of convertible furniture which can be used optionally as a sofa t or'as a double bed.

Objects, of my invention are to provide a sofa and double bed combination which forms va rearwardly declining or sloping seat for several personswhen used as a sofa an which can be converted into a bed having a horizontal surface of a sizeabout twice as large as the sofa seat area, and to accomplish this conversion by extracting an additional bed frame from the sofa,'tilting'the sofa seat into a horizontal position andcomple.- inenting the height of the extracted bed frame by a vlayer of cushions which, when the combination iS used as sofa, formthe baci; of the sofa.

' Other objects'are to provide the combination with a stationary base'and with a mattress so positioned and supported over this base that'the vextractable bed frame can be placed between the base and the Amattress in the Sofa condition of the combination,` and can be shifted to the front like a drawer, and` to. provide the bed frame with feet which can be'folded into this frame when the frame is shifted under the mattress.

Further objects are to support the mattress in each of its two different positions firmly so that the mattresswill hold the weight of the person or persons resting thereon, to support the mattress by the base in the bed condition and to support the mattress by vthebed frame inthe sofa condition. y Y

Still other objects lare to facilitate theconversion, to connect thevmattress'and .thebaselbya releasable catch inthe bed condition, to provide a spring urging the mattress into the declining position whereby releaseofthe catch will automatically bring the mattress into the proper position for shifting the bed frame vunder the.l

same, and to provide guiding means which make the shift of the bed frame easy and accurate.

Still further objects are to attain these'results with simple, reliabl'eland inexpensive means, and

to provide a combination ofv the mentionedna'- ture that can be easily made and assembled,

that can be easily converted and that is comfortable in'eithe'r of `its convertible conditions.

Still other objects and advantages will appear from the following description of an exemplifying embodiment of my invention, from the Aappended claims and from the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 shows a partly sectional side view of an illustrative embodiment of my inventionin sofa condition, the sectionally represented parts being cut along the line I-l in Fig. 2.V

Fig. 2 showsa, top view of the embodiment shown in Fig. .1, upper parts being 'cut off along the line .2 2 virl Fig. 1. v

Fig. 3.shows a'. rear view of a broken offn part t of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, a portion of the rear wall being' cutoff. y A I Fig. 4 shows a brokenoff side view of the same embodiment in bedfcondition.v

Fig. 5 Shows a cross-section taken along the line 5-'-5 in Fig. 4, the mattress and the cushions being omitted.'

Fig.r6 shows'a side viewy of guiding means-and of a broken off'part of the bed frame in that condition'which corresponds to Figs. 1 to 3, but represented on a larger Scale. Fig.v 7 shows 'a cross-section taken along the line` 1 1 in Fig. 6 and represented on a still ylarger scale.

Fig.' 8 shows va cross-section taken along the vline 8-8 in Fig. i5 and represented on the same scale as Fig. '7.

' Fig.' 9 shows a side View of a foldable foot of the bed frame, represented on the same scale as Fg.

'Referring to the drawings, numeral 3 indicates a frame whic his provided with front feet 4 and rear feet 6 and forms a stationary base. vThe feet'4 are longer than the feet B whereby the frame 3' slopes toward its rear side.

A mattress 9 is positioned'over the frame 3. A lrearwall il, two side walls' I2 and a front wall yI3iorm downward extensions of the walls of the mattress 9. A shaft I3 extends near and parallel to the vrear wall l l horizontally and has ends inserted -in bores of the side walls I2. The shaft I4 is carried by bearings I5 whichl are provided with feet I8 aflixed ontop ofthe base frame 3 whereby the mattress 9 is rotatably connected to .the base frame. In the position shown in Fig. 1, the mattress and its upper surface decline toward the rear` side and are about parallel to the frame'3, except that the surface of the mattress may be slightly iiared as usual. In this positiony the-mattress!) rests on a bed Aframe which will be described later. When this supporting bed frame is withdrawn, as Vwill be described later, the mattress can swing down about the pivot axis of the-shaft I4 into the position shown in Fig. 4 in which the mattress contacts the base frame 3, is immediately suported by the latter. frame and -inwhich'the front and the rear ends of the mattress are positioned at the same height whereby the upper surface of .the mattress is horizotnal, except for its slight flare.

' One or several springs l1 urgethe mattress into the position shown infFig. 1. Forl example,'the springs I1 may be affixed to the bearings l5 yand maypressingly contact' the'lower surface of the mattresS'S. When the "supporting bed frame is. withdrawn from under the mattress asfwill be described' later, the mattress can 'be turned bysli'ght hand 'pressure against the pressure of the springs until the front wall I3 contacts the frame `3' inthe position shown in Fig. 4.' In the latter position, these contacting parts are'temporarily connected,- preferably by' one or two catches as shown Ain Fig. 8.` This 'catch may comprise a resilient member I8 aixed tothe wall I3 andha'\ lir 1gl a h ook shapei'iendv reaching down into and-engaging a box I9 inserted in and af- 3 xed to the frame 3. The catch can be released by pressure on a member 2|.

A bed frame is formed by a rear wall 22, two side walls 23 and a front wall 24 and may be stiffened by a wall 25 extending parallel to the side walls in the middle of the frame. A net of wires and springs, not shown, may extendin Well known manner between the walls of the bed frame near its upper surface. The front wall I3 of the mattress is cut out to t the frontwall 24 of the bed frame. The latter wall may extend laterally a little beyond the side walls 23. The bed frame can be shifted throughthe opening formed by this cut-outlike a. drawer. 'Inthe position shown in Fig. 1, the bed frame issupported -by the Yframe 3, and the wall 24 of the be'cl frame supports the wall I3 of the mattress whereby the mattress 9 rests onthe bed frame and can carry the weight of several persons sitting thereon.

Brackets .2G are affixed to theinner sides of the walls 22 and 24 land are connected by hingesZI (see Fig. 9) with feet 23. `folded intoy the bed frame and rest on the ubase frame 3. When the bed frame is shifted into the position in front of the mattress!! as .shown in Fig. 4, the feet 28 drop to the floor and sup- ,port the bed frame.

In the latter position, the rear wall 22 of the .bed frame is adjacent to the 4front of .the front `wall I3. The wall V22 is provided with cutout spaces 23 which allow to operate the catch re- ;lease 2I and to vlay-pass the catch` hook I8 when` the bed frame is shifted under themattress.

The feet 2S support the bed frame .in a horizontal posi-tion in which its upper-surface is consition of Fig. 4, placed on top of the bed Vframe whereby a double bed of uniform andcomfortable vheight-,fis formed. In Fig. 1, the cushions 3| are .placed in the form of several layers vertically over the rear end of the mattress and form `the back of the sofa.

'Theishift of the: bed frame between the positions shownin Figs. l and is facilitatedby guiding means which prevent lateral dislocation of hthe bed .frame during its shift and which may vcomprise two symmetrically identical devices -arranged between the outer sides of the walls 23 .ofthe bed .frame and the inner sides ofthe walls .I2 fof the mattress. .Each of these devices may .be .constructed as follows:

Arail 32 extending along the inner 'sideofjthe side wall .I2 has lateral .projections I33 and .34 ywhich terminate in buttons 35 inserted slidably in substantially vertical slots 36 (see Fig. 2V) vof a sidewall I2 whereby the rail 32 is prevented -from shifting horizontally both in longitudinal and in lateral direction, but can adjust its posi- `tion in vertical direction in a manner allowing themovement describedin the following .Dara-Y graph. Another rail 31 engages therail S32 slid- .ably whereby these two rails form telescopically extractable elements. "Rollers '38 engage Atherail 31 vrollingly and are rotatably connectedto-"averticalplate 39 which is affixed to awall 23 of the bed frame. A stop member *4I may 'be aixed to the rail '31, Vfor example by a screw `bolt-12.

vThe rollers 38 form `a guidance holding the rails 32 and 3'I'parallel to'the'longitudinal'direotion of the bed frame or its side-wall 23. Hence, these rails have a rearwardly decliningdirection when `the bed frame isv inserted betweenl base In Fig. 1, theseieet are frame and mattress in rearwardly declining direction. But when the bed frame is withdrawn into theiront position shown .in Fig. 4, the bed' frame and the rails extend horizontally or parallel to the floor while the buttons 35 have correspondingly moved vertically in their slots 3E.

This device forms a movable connection between themattress and the bed frame whereby the latter is shiftable between the extreme relative-positions-shown in Figs. l and 2 and in Figs. and 6. The shift results partly from the rolling movement of the rollers 38, partly from the sliding movement of the rail 31.. In order to convert the'doiible bed shown in Fig. 4 in'to a sofa., the feet 28 are folded into'the position indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 9, the cushions 3| are taken off vthebed frame, andthe catch is released whereupon rthe spring I1 moves the mattress '3 into the .rearwardly declining position. In this position, the'bed 'frame fits the'front gap between the mattress wall I3 and vthe frame 3. Thebed frame 'is slightly raised to vthe level of 'this `,gap and is shifted. over and' along 'the upper .surface of the base frame 3 into the position shown in This shiitis easy because of the'declin# 'ing .position of the frame 3 and because of the describedguiding means.

I desire Vit understood that my vinv.=,-n'tion `is not ycon'iined to the particular embodiment shown and described, the sa-me being merely illustrative, and that my invention may :be carried out .fin other ways within the scope .of the. appended claims without departing from 'the spirit of my invention asit is obvious that the particularA embodiment shown and descrbedis .only oneofftlie many thatmay.beemployedto-attain the objects of my invention.

If .it is desired .to convert the sofa finto ytwo `beds placed apart from each other, the .railffl may-be drawnout ,until it .is .completely separated from .the rail 32, whereupon the v'bed frame .2'3 can -bej positioned .and used .independently .of mattress 9.

Having described the Anature vof nmy invention. whatl claim and desire to protect by Letters .Patent is:

TLA sofa and double bed rcombination come prsing sa base. frame, longer. frontifeet and-'shortterhrear .ieetsupporting said base `frame in a .rearwardly declining. position, a mattress :posif- 'tioned over said base frame. a shaft extending horizontallyparallelto the rear side ofsa'd mat,-

ptress and .rotatably connecting sai-d mattress having. aahelghtnot larger thanl `sai`ddistance,

having va. widtheand .length smaller than the width and length of said mattress and havingga flower surface ,'slidabl'y contacting the l.upper .sur-

.Lfac'ef'of said ibase frame whereby `sai'dfbed.frame visshiftable betweena position :between ssaidz'base frame andmattress and azposition infront of i-theisarn'e,.saidbedr frame, in its l2. A sofaend double bed-'combination comf :comprising a :base drame having arearwardly :declining .upper surface, a :bed .frame .rest

.ing on said vbase frameV in .rearwardly de+ fcliiing position, and a lmattress :pivote'd .tosaid base framenear one-edgef-thereof-for-swinging iii-st;mentioned. position supportingfsaid mattress.

movement about a horizontal axis parallel to the rear edge of said mattress, said mattress extending over and being supported by said bed frame in rearwardly declining position and having a front end spaced vertically from said base frame as far as the height of said bed frame, said bed frame having a lowei side slidably contacting the upper side of said base frame whereby said bed frame can be shifted into another position in front of said base frame and of said mattress whereupon said mattress can swing about said pivot axis into another position in which saidmattress fro-nt end contacts said base frame, said mattress having an upper surface extending horizontally in said other position of the mattress.

3. A sofa and double bed combination comprising a base frame; a bed frame supported by said base frame; and a mattress pivoted to said base frame for swinging movement about a horizontal axis parallel to the rear edge of said mattress, extending over and being supported by said bed frame and having a front end spaced vertically from said base frame as far as the height of said bed frame, said bed frame having a lower side slidably contacting the upper side of said base frame whereby said bed frame can be shifted into another position in front of said base frame and of said mattress whereupon said mattress can swing about said pivot axis into another position in which said mattress contacts said base frame, the height of said front end of the mattress over the floor being determined by the combined height of the front ends of said base frame and said mattress, in said other position, being equal to the height of the rear end of said mattress over the door whereby said mattress has a substantially horizontal upper surface, the height of the front end of the mattress in the rst described position being increased by the height of said bed frame whereby the upper surface of said mattress declines rearwardly.

4. A sofa and double bed combination comprising a base frame; a bed frame supported by said base frame; a mattress pivoted to said base frame for swinging movement about a horizontal axis parallel to the rear edge of said mattress, extending over and being supported by said bed frame and having a front end spaced vertically from said base frame as far as the height of said bed frame, said bed frame having a lower side slidably contacting the upper side of said base frame whereby said bed frame can be shifted into another position in front of said base frame and of said mattress whereupon said mattress can swing about said pivot axis into another position in which said mattress contacts said base frame, the height of said front end of the mattress over the floor being determined by the combined height of the front ends of said base frame and said mattress, in said other position, being equal to the height of the rear end of said mattress over the noor whereby said mattress has a substantially horizontal upper surface, the height of the front end of the mattress in the first described position being increased by the height of said bed frame whereby the upper surface of said mattress declines rearwardly; a back removably positioned over the rear end of said mattress when the latter is in said declining position, said back consisting of several layers of cushions of uniform thickness positioned before each other; and feet foldably connected to said bed frame and having a length measured to support said bed frame in said front position at a level of its upper surface lower than the upper level of said mattress in said horizontal position, the difference of said levels being equal to the thickness of said cushions whereby said cushions can be moved into a position over said bed frame in which they are ush with the mattress in the latters horizontal position.

5. A sofa and double bed combination comprising a base frame; a bed frame supported by said base frame; a mattress pivoted to said base frame for swinging movement about a horizontal axis parallel to the rear edge of said mattress, extending over and being supported by said 4bed frame and having a front end spaced vertically from said base frame as far as the height of said bed frame, said bed frame having a lower side slidably contacting the upper side of said base frame whereby said bed frame can be shifted into another position in front of said base frame and of said mattress whereupon said mattress can swing about said pivot axis into another position in which said mattress contacts said base frame, the height o-f said front end of the mattress over the oor being determined by the combined height of the front ends of said base frame and said mattress, in said other position, being equal to the height of the rear end of said mattress over the floor whereby said mattress has a substantially horizontal upper surface, the height of the front end of the mattress in the first described position being increased by the height of said bed frame whereby the upper surface of said mattress declines rearwardly; a spring urging said mattress to swing away from said base frame; and a releasable catch connecting said mattress and said base frame when said mattress is in said horizontal position.

6. A sofa and double bed combination comprising a base frame; a bed frame supported by said base frame; a mattress pivo-ted to said base frame for swinging movement about a horizontal axis parallel to the rear edge of said mattress, extending over and being supported by said bed frame iand having a front end spaced vertically from said base frame as far as the height of said bed frame, said bed frame having a lower side slidably contacting the upper side of said base frame whereby said bed frame can be shifted into another position in front of said base frame and of said mattress whereupon said mattress can swing about said pivot axis into another position in which said mattress contacts said base frame; a side wall forming a downward extension. of said mattress positioned aside of and spaced from a side of said bed frame; rollers positioned laterally of and rotatably connected to said side of said bed frame; and two'each other engaging and telescopically extractable rails, one of said rails being rollingly and guidedly engaged by said rollers, the other rail having projections engaging vertical slots in said wall.

- HARRY S. VAKASSIAN.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 246,175 McGee Aug. 23, 1881 460,022 Mabee Sept. 22, 1891 1,381,172 Davis et al. June 14, 1921 2,297,176 Thompson Sept. 29, 1942 2,341,307 Aronson Feb. 8, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 193,880 Switzerland Feb. 1, 1938 

